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 Elvis inspired me to make the collage above. (Click on it to see the actual size)
This is baby me with my grandfather White Wolf.
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I was born in 1945 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. My mother Damayanti Rashmika Winnona aka White Dove was in labor for 24 hours, I was born either December 31st or January 1st. They didn't know for sure, so it is my choice when I wish to celebrate my birthday. I am Cherokee Indian on my mother's side and Kickapoo on father's. When I was 2 years old my parents and I moved to Egypt as my father Frashegird Humpabuttshmi Maharajapuram aka Grey Wolf was an archeologist. When I was a very young boy he would take me to the arenas and we would watch gladiator events with swords - it fascinated me. He told me that before I was born he would go there very often and watch the fights. There was one gladiator that was very strong and would always win the fights, and my father told my mother that if she ever gave him a son his name would be El Lancelot (my nickname that is) but real name shall be Jonathan Dasras Maharajapuram. While my father and I watched the fight, he pointed to the man and said, "son this is who you are nick named after". I was in awe... I said father someday I will grow big and strong.
Years passed and I became a young man. I had dreams of going back to America so I became a gladiator and saved money to go. A scout was watching one day while I fought and asked if I could sing. I loved to sing at church and home, so I decided to be at an audition and the scout said that I wasn't only good looking but had a God-given talent and with my voice I could go far. I realized I would get a break I was looking for. Instead of one passion in life I could expand doing something else that I love. I got more involved in my singing than my fighting as I grew a little older and a lot wiser.
I finally got back to the USA when I was 18 years old. I took up Karate and became very good at it as well as singing. My first singing job was small but I welcomed it with open arms, I knew I couldn't do Karate forever. At first in my singing career I was a back up singer and a guitar man, then it was realized I had a beautiful voice so I began to sing more and more and did not have as much time for Karate. I kind of put it on the back burner, but never stopped loving it. I found myself saying God gave me this talent so I should use it and thank Him at the same time. I sang all kinds of music in so many places, from small venues to fairs, touring the states. I gave a lot of my money to help other people that were in need. I would especially sing in Church every chance I got. My music career took off and I mainly spent what I made to make others happy. When I was in my early 30's I married a Southern lady and she gave me 4 children. We have been married for almost 30 years now and we reside in Tahlequah, OK the place where I was born. I never stopped loving music and Karate, and I still sing. Lastly, I want to reassure everyone that I am not Elvis Presley. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Yigaquu osaniyu adanvto adadoligi nigohilvi nasquv utloyasdi nihi
May the Great Spirit's Blessings Always Be With You,
Jon Cotner (stage name) aka Jon Maharajapuram aka Soaring Eagle
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